A bit of a mystery

ETR3(SS) · 11-09-10, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

No. There are no such thing as an accidental launch with nuclear weapons. Too many barriers for that to happen.

This. There is no way in hell that you can accidentally launch a missile. Far too many people involved in the launch process for that to happen.

razark · 11-09-10, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETR3(SS)

This. There is no way in hell that you can accidentally launch a missile. Far too many people involved in the launch process for that to happen.

I understand that there are too many people involved. What about mechanical or electrical problems?

Once a solid fuel rocket begins burning, it's going somewhere, no matter how it started burning.

11-09-10, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razark

I understand that there are too many people involved. What about mechanical or electrical problems?

Once a solid fuel rocket begins burning, it's going somewhere, no matter how it started burning.

But that doesn't jive because there was no nuclear detonation.

Unless you think all SLBMs are toothless. IE no nukes.

I guess we can go back to a test launch during rush hour on the west coast. Back to the Obama Admin playing bad with an unfunny game. To get some legislation passed. I pray that is not the case.

razark · 11-09-10, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

But that doesn't jive because there was no nuclear detonation.

Huh. Seems someone might have asked about that...

Oh, right:

Quote:

Originally Posted by razark

Would a nuclear warhead have some kind of safety system in place to prevent detonation if a missile were to be accidentally launched?

Raptor1 · 11-09-10, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

But that doesn't jive because there was no nuclear detonation.

Unless you think all SLBMs are toothless. IE no nukes.

I guess we can go back to a test launch during rush hour on the west coast. Back to the Obama Admin playing bad with an unfunny game. To get some legislation passed. I pray that is not the case.

Accidentally launching an SLBM would be much easier than accidentally making the warhead go off...

11-09-10, 05:51 PM

The point is ....once launched the warheads are not recallable or able to be disabled in any manner. This isn't hollywood.

Once launched detonation will occur unless it is a test. To allow for any means of self destruct or any interference of the missile in flight removes any usefullness it may have.

SteamWake · 11-09-10, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

The point is ....once launched the warheads are not recallable or able to be disabled in any manner. This isn't hollywood.

Once launched detonation will occur unless it is a test. To allow for any means of self destruct or any interference of the missile in flight removes any usefullness it may have.

You know that as a fact?

I would like to believe otherwise.

Oberon · 11-09-10, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteamWake

You know that as a fact?

I would like to believe otherwise.

IIRC, that is the line that is put out by the US military, that their ICBMs do not have a kill switch. The emphasis is put on avoiding a unintentional launch in the first place.
The trouble with having a kill switch after launch is the possibility of enemy interference making the missiles self-destruct before they reach their targets.

Raptor1 · 11-09-10, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

The point is ....once launched the warheads are not recallable or able to be disabled in any manner. This isn't hollywood.

Once launched detonation will occur unless it is a test. To allow for any means of self destruct or any interference of the missile in flight removes any usefullness it may have.

I would've thought it was the opposite, that no detonation will occur unless it is actually made to detonate before launching.

CaptainHaplo · 11-09-10, 06:02 PM

Likely an airplane, just from one of those odd angles that makes it look like something its not.

11-09-10, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor1

I would've thought it was the opposite, that no detonation will occur unless it is actually made to detonate before launching.

All warhead coding/enabling and missile launch codes must be entered prior to launch. Once launched the missile doesn't even need to know where it is...it just needs to know where it is not ...and goes to where it needs to be. Which is part of the launch code.

ETR3(SS) · 11-09-10, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by razark

I understand that there are too many people involved. What about mechanical or electrical problems?

Once a solid fuel rocket begins burning, it's going somewhere, no matter how it started burning.

If a missile lights off in the tube, it will more than likely destroy the boat carrying it.

razark · 11-09-10, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETR3(SS)

If a missile lights off in the tube, it will more than likely destroy the boat carrying it.

Good point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

The point is ....once launched the warheads are not recallable or able to be disabled in any manner.

Let me rephrase my question, then:
Does the warhead need to be armed before launch (as part of the button-pressing, key-turning fun the movies portray), or is it automatically armed when the missile leaves the tube, or is it sitting ready to go on top of the missile waiting for the command to detonate it?

TLAM Strike · 11-09-10, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ETR3(SS)

If a missile lights off in the tube, it will more than likely destroy the boat carrying it.

11-09-10, 06:02 PM	#10
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Likely an airplane, just from one of those odd angles that makes it look like something its not. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

11-09-10, 05:51 PM	#6
The Third Man Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	The point is ....once launched the warheads are not recallable or able to be disabled in any manner. This isn't hollywood. Once launched detonation will occur unless it is a test. To allow for any means of self destruct or any interference of the missile in flight removes any usefullness it may have.